Karen S. Kesten, Chair-Elect

AACN Certification Corporation Board
July 2015 – June 2016

Karen S. Kesten, DNP, APRN, CCRN-K, CNE, CCNS, serves a one-year term as chair-elect of the AACN Certification Corporation board of directors from July 1, 2015, though June 30, 2016. She served an extended term as a director from July 1, 2014, through June 30, 2015. She previously served a three-year term from July 1, 2011, through June 30, 2014.

Kesten is director of educational innovations at American Association of Colleges of Nursing, Washington. She also continues part-time as associate professor at Georgetown University School of Nursing and Health Studies, Washington, where she has taught since 1999.

She was director of nursing education and a critical care clinical nurse specialist at Adventist Healthcare’s Washington Adventist Hospital, Takoma Park, Maryland, and Shady Grove Adventist Hospital, Rockville, Maryland, from 1988-2006 and held an academic position at The Catholic University of America, Washington, from 1982-1988.

A member of AACN’s Greater Washington Area Chapter, she is a frequent writer and presenter on clinical practice and AACN’s Healthy Work Environment Standards. She received the Competitive Faculty Research Award from Georgetown University School of Nursing and Health Studies in 2008 and the Dean’s Research Award, University Research Fund, The Catholic University of America, in 1986. In 2013, she received the Excellence in Teaching Award from Georgetown University.

Kesten earned a Doctor of Nursing Practice degree and a Certificate in Teaching in Nursing and Health Professions from the University of Maryland, Baltimore in 2009. She received a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing, Emory University, Atlanta, and a Master of Science in Nursing from The Catholic University of America.